AppFlow

I love to be connected, at my desk, on the road or anywhere else I happen to be.

At the same time, I like saving time, two desires that appear to be mutually exclusive on iOS – You have one client for each protocol (for example the Skype app for Skype).  Switching apps, even with multitasking, signing in etc etc, it’s enough to drive anyone mad!

Fortunately there is an alternative!  IM+ (iOS Universal) offers an incredibly easy user interface, coupled with features to make it the only IM app I use!

In case you haven’t guessed, I’ve been rather impressed with IM+ while putting together this review.  I’ve been looking for a long time not only for an IM client to help me save time on my iPad, but one that’s actually designed for the iPad!  As brilliant as the Windows Live and Skype apps are, they are designed for the tiny iPhone screen and fail to utilise the screen real-estate that the iPad has to offer.

Instant Messaging

Primarily, IM+ is (as the name suggests) an Instant Messaging client, although it does have several other neat little features that are also rather useful.

IM+ Supports all major IM protocols, including Skype Chat, AOL, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, Jabber and ICQ.  In addition, it supports Facebook chat ant MySpace.  Setting up an account is as simple as it is on any multi-protocol IM client.

Managing Conversations

If you want to talk to multiple people at once, you need a quick way of switching between open windows.  IM+ delivers this by a very nice user interface, similar to that of the iPad Mail app.  Tapping a contact on the side panel instantly opens up a conversation with them.  The little bubbles at the bottom indicate the number of open conversations and allow you to switch between them by sideways swiping anywhere on the window.

When combined, all of these features make IM+ a dream to use!

Customisable

It’s all very well having an app that’s a ‘brilliant IM client’, but that’s one person’s opinion of it.  My idea of a ‘brilliant IM client’, is possibly different to yours.  This is where the extensive customisation features of IM+ come into play.

Sounds/Alerts

One of the first things I had to do when using IM+ was disable some of the annoying default sound effects.  Fortunately this was remarkably easy.  You also have full control over the Push settings, including setting a timeout for IM+ remaining logged in, and even an Autoreply for when it is open in the background.

Visual

One of the new features in the latest version of IM+ is the ability to change the background image.  In my opinion, this was a rather dangerous move.  The wrong background image can quickly become intrusive and not only distract from the content of the window, but make it impossible to see the text.

The IM+ developers have, however, managed to pull such a risky move off, and the results are actually very pleasing!  The ability to have a solid background colour remains, as well as some built in backgrounds and even your own photo albums.

The really neat feature, however, is the ability to tint the background image.  This means that a usually intrusive image can still be used, without the need of a third part application.

Twitter Client

In addition to being an IM client, IM+ can be used as a twitter client.  This adds sections such as @replies, DMs, Timeline and Favourites to the left hand panel.

Personally, I find the IM+ twitter hard to use, as it’s upside down compared to almost all other twitter clients.  New tweets appear at the bottom, rather than at the top.  In other departments, it seems to be a perfectly fine twitter client, if a bit basic.  There’s no support for twitter lists or the new re-tweets which is a shame  It also only supports one account.

It definitely feels like an add on/after thought.  I can certainly see this coming in handy for some twitter users, but personally I find it to be lacking in some key areas where twitter is concerned.

Web Browser

Another little ‘Add on’ feature included is the web browser.  This is accessed by tapping the little globe in the upper right hand corner.

This is certainly useful for a little bit of multitasking while in a conversation or two, without leaving the app.  Read part of an article, send a message, and go back to your article quickly, without having to close the app.  Definitely has it’s advantages.

However, the browser isn’t safari, and offers nothing more than actual ‘web browsing’ (so no bookmarks etc.).  Once multitasking arrives on the iPad in iOS4 this Autumn, this feature will likely become redundant.

Conclusion

IM+ is an excellent app for accessing your Instant messaging friends on the iPad (and iPhone).  It’s a little on the expensive side at £5.99, but a free, Lite, version is available.  Despite the price, this app has to be one of my most used apps on my iPad.  The convenience of having all of your protocols in one place, together with a design actually for the iPad, it’s definitely worth it for frequent IM and iPad users!